The Circus

After Bob Weir died I took some moments to look back. I traveled around with a lot of close friends through the years to go listen to the Grateful Dead. We would look for a few shows and take in a week or more of concerts. When I was in high school our parents let us run off to Philly for spring break. We had to have a plan, a hotel, and be responsible. They trusted us. It was the eighties and we were fairly self sufficient.

As we got a little older, the shows became more adventurous. We would camp in parking lots. Sometimes in a tent. Sometimes under the stars. Sometimes in the car. We would sell grilled cheese sandwiches and play guitar for enough money to buy a ticket. Once in a while a ticket would just find it's way to you. Every one looked out for each other. If you were kind to folks, you would receive kindness.

The scene outside the gates was a reflection of what went on backstage. There was a sense of equity. The sound people, the kids dancing, the drummer, bass, guitars, singers, keyboard player, the tapers, the wharf rats, a group of folks in recovery that had meetings during set breaks, everyone was important to the show.

As the years have gone by the band has evolved and changed several times. Key parts are played by younger musicians. The band plays on. It's not about the individuals. it's about the show. The event. The circus. the music.

Jerry Garcia related the band to a circus, in that kids could run off with the circus. The inclusion and equity is what made that show so special.

Fare thee well Bob Weir.

The song Circus is a remix of my recording from the Little by Little record.